Indigo Macaw in flight

[Ivan Sjogren]

Hi all,

I have seen that a lot of you have posted some terrific flight shots recently so I thought that I would join the trend. This is a Indigo Macaw (also known as Lear's Macaw) one of the rarest birds in the world and critically endangered. Witnessing these birds from a cliffside in northeastern Brazil was a highlight of last year and my whole birding career to be honest. Background is the cliffside where these birds nest and breed in large caves.

All comments welcome!

Canon 7D Mark II | Canon 500mm f/4.0L IS USM II | ISO 800 | f/4.0 | 1/1000s

[David Roach]

A stunner for sure. Great top side view with perfect pose/bank. I really love the BG and this beauty really pops against it. TFS

ps
Your image makes me wanna go...

[dankearl]

Wow!! Head turn, pose and colors are off the charts.

[Bill Dix]

Wonderful bird, great flight pose. Congratulations.

[gail bisson]

Excellent image.
Nice and sharp. Great topside view.
Great colors.
I would increase the exposure by about 1/3 of a stop and add a bit more contrast to the macaw.
What is the oval/oblong whitish spot below the 6th primary?
Gail

[arash_hazeghi]

that blue sure stands out against the rust, the bird had passed you but the look back saves it. I would opt for more sharpening as well

TFS

[Brian Sump]

Ivan, congratulations on a beautiful frame.

Color palette is fantastic, dorsal shot with a look back and in focus across the subject!

I agree that a slight boost in contrast, even a slight mids curve adj might only add.

TFS!

[Ivan Sjogren]

Thank you for the feedback and suggestions regarding contrast. Posted a slightly adjusted frame here. I was intentionally soft-handed in changing things as I myself don't regarded it as an issue, but the small tweaks did improv it. Let me know what you think.


Excellent image.
Nice and sharp. Great topside view.
Great colors.
I would increase the exposure by about 1/3 of a stop and add a bit more contrast to the macaw.
What is the oval/oblong whitish spot below the 6th primary?
Gail

Gail, if I understand what you are referring to correctly, that is a broken/worn wing tip. I did some work on that too by using a different primary.

[Brian Sump]

Ivan, I believe your improvements made a great impact, nicely done!

[Daniel Cadieux]

Excellent frame, and improved in the repost! I love the blue against red colour-combo you have here. Great look at the dorsal feathers.

[gail bisson]

Repost looks great Ivan. Thanks for explaining what that little area at the tip of the 6th primary is.
Because it is a natural defect in the feather, I would leave it in. I thought it was a masking issue.
Gail